UK
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Co-op has confirmed a cyber attack exposed member details in April. The retailer’s CEO says the breach, one of the largest in UK retail, compromised personal information but did not include financial data. Four suspects have been arrested as scrutiny grows over cybersecurity in retail.
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UK retains national electricity pricing, introduces strategic energy reforms. The government aims to modernise the electricity market, maintaining a unified pricing model while implementing reforms to enhance efficiency and fairness, reduce costs, and secure clean energy investments.
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WSP Global will acquire Ricardo for £363 million in cash. The deal gives shareholders a 28 percent premium and sharpens WSP’s focus on environmental and advisory growth as it targets further expansion in the UK and Europe.
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HMRC lacks data on billionaire taxpayers, MPs criticise. The Public Accounts Committee urges HMRC to enhance billionaire tax tracking, citing a need for better strategies and transparency in ensuring the ultra-wealthy contribute their fair share to public finances.
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Wagestream has acquired pensions technology provider Zippen in a move. The deal underlines the growing demand for workplace financial benefits, as Wagestream strengthens its position in employee financial wellbeing with new specialist expertise in the UK pensions market.
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UK inflation rose to 3.6 % in June. Headline inflation surprised at 3.6 % in June, the highest since January, as fuel and food prices edged higher and economists’ forecasts were left behind. Core CPI and goods inflation also picked up, complicating the outlook for Bank of England rate cuts.
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UK launches a Transition Finance Pilot to boost green finance. The initiative aims to remove regulatory barriers hindering companies from reducing carbon emissions, potentially attracting up to £200 billion in investment and reinforcing the UK’s leadership in green finance.
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One in six UK workers struggles to pay monthly bills. A study by the Work Foundation reveals ongoing financial challenges despite cooling inflation and rising wages, with nearly half of workers having minimal disposable income and many turning to second jobs.
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US-backed buyers led five major UK M&A deals this week. Boardroom shifts, valuation gaps, and sector-specific drivers shaped property, industrials, and tech transactions, with most deal value remaining in the mid-market.
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London leads EMEA and ranks second globally for tech talent. The new Colliers report reveals five critical shifts reshaping international tech markets and talent flows.